The best propulsion space startups
20 propulsion companies in the directory, ranked by disclosed funding ($1.8B raised between them), spanning 7 countries.
The companies building the engines: from staged-combustion rocket motors to iodine-fueled electric thrusters the size of a shoebox. Every other category in this directory moves because of this one.
Stoke Space Fully reusable Nova rocket with a novel regeneratively cooled second stage
Impulse Space Mira and Helios orbital transfer vehicles, founded by SpaceX employee number one
Reaction Engines Shut downAir-breathing rocket engines
Portal Space Systems Supernova, a solar-thermal spacecraft built for rapid maneuvers across orbits
Latitude Zephyr, a dedicated small satellite launcher from Reims, France
Magdrive Metal-fueled plasma propulsion with dramatically higher thrust density
Applied Ion Systems LLC Low cost electric propulsion systems
Accion Systems Satellite propulsion
Additive Rocket Corporation 3D printing rocket engines
Enpulsion Advanced propulsion systems for small sats
Interstellar Technologies Developing ZERO, a small-satellite launcher burning liquid biomethane.
Isar Aerospace Spectrum, the first orbital launch vehicle developed in continental Europe by a private company
Miles Space Propulsion and space communications
Morpheus Space Modular electric propulsion giving small satellites agile maneuverability
NewRocket Eco-friendly rocket engines
Pale Blue Water-fuelled ion and Hall thrusters for small satellite propulsion.
Phase Four AcquiredCompact electric propulsion for space
Rocket Factory Augsburg RFA One small launcher built with automotive-style serial production
ThrustMe Iodine-fueled electric propulsion systems for small satellites
Ursa Major Technologies Engines for small satellites
How many propulsion space startups are there in 2026?
Space Bandits tracks 20 propulsion companies, 18 of them active, with $1.8B in disclosed funding between them. Every funding figure carries a source.
Which propulsion startup has raised the most?
Stoke Space leads the propulsion sector with $990M in disclosed funding.
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